Outside the UK, and even sometimes in England itself (especially historically; less often now), the term England often refers to the UK as a whole. This use is often considered offensive, especially by residents of the other constituent countries of the UK.

In formal usage, England referring to Great Britain or the United Kingdom is now very rare.

In common speech, England continues to be the most common word for the two respective entities as a whole. It is, however, now uncommon to use England when referring specifically to a place or incident in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. In such a case, the respective word would normally be used (Schottland, Wales, Nordirland).

The usage including the Republic of Ireland, which is sometimes heard, is conspicuously nonstandard.